MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week: Week 12

Real Salt Lake are back and so are the RSL colors in the latest edition of the MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week for Week 12.

There's also a rookie, three unheralded midfielders and a never-before named goalkeeper. Meanwhile, positional changes have suited three players just fine as Marvin Chávez, Geoff Cameron and Jean Alexandre make it onto the best XI squad.

GK: Troy Perkins (Portland Timbers) – He couldn’t save his team from defeat at the Home Depot Center but he was the only reason the result wasn’t more one-sided. Made more than a few fine saves on the night.

DF: Perry Kitchen (D.C. United) – If there was a team that could capitalize against a youthful back line like DC’s, it was LA’s veteran group. But Kitchen is a gamer and the rookie continues to show he’s able to handle what comes his way.

DF: Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo) – Arguably the Dynamo’s most active player in San Jose and he also proved a threat in attack. Not bad for a player returning to center back for the first time this season.

DF: Nat Borchers (Real Salt Lake) – They’re rarely mentioned if not as a pair. Olave-and-Borchers. Borchers-and-Olave. But without his suspended sidekick, Borchers had the spotlight to himself. He showed why he went down to the wire with Jámison Olave for last year’s Defender of the Year award.

DF: Jason Hernandez (San Jose Earthquakes) - Few teams have been able to contain Houston's forward combo of Cam Weaver-Will Bruin. The underrated Hernandez continues to prove he's a tough matchup for any forward prototype in MLS.

MF: Ned Grabavoy (Real Salt Lake) – RSL returned to dominating possession against the Vancouver Whitecaps and Grabavoy's skill and calm on the ball are a major reason why.

MF: Brad Ring (San Jose Earthquakes) – One of the underrated players in San Jose’s resurgence, Ring has given the Quakes a steady presence in the midfield. It’s no coincidence that the club’s undefeated streak has taken shape since he's become a fixture in the lineup.

FW: Jean Alexandre (Real Salt Lake) – So is Jason Kreis rooting for his former holding midfielder to continue to light it up at forward? Can the reigning Player of the Week do enough to make himself a regular candidate at striker for RSL?

FW: Marcos Mondaini (Chivas USA) – The Goats could only capture one win during the Argentine’s four-game suspension. The most influential player on this Chivas USA squad for his skill, guile and unpredictability, his presence brings clear ideas to the Chivas attack.

FW: Marvin Chávez (FC Dallas) – The Honduran may not be your traditional forward but he continues to be dangerous in every match he plays in the position. Against New England he finally got the goal that had been missing, his first since October of last year.

Manager: Frank Yallop (San Jose Earthquakes) – Though some may question his moves, the Canadian manager has not been afraid to make adjustments to his squad until he finds the right mix. Ramiro Corrales and Bobby Convey swapping positions. Khari Stephenson at forward. Brad Ring a midfield regular. Rookie Anthony Ampaipitakwong becoming a starter. Credit where credit is due. Defeating Houston is no easy task.